Cosell Speaks
Posted: January 15th, 2012 | Author: Tommy Lawlor | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 59 Comments »The guys at PE.com have up an interview with Greg Cosell from NFL Films. It is definitely worth checking out.
Cosell and I don’t always agree, but I respect his opinion because it is based on tape study. Brian Baldinger loves hyperbole so anything he says, good or bad, has to be examined carefully. Mike Lombardi has it out for Andy Reid so there’s a lot of bias in his reports. Merrill Hoge is just an idiot. Ron Jaworski is a good source, but as a former Eagle it does seem he’s biased for the team in some instances. Plus, he’s usually put in a format where the information he doles out has an angle to it.
Cosell is just a film guy. He watches stuff over and over and over. He isn’t debating Gruden on MNF or any ESPN hack on their 237 NFL shows. Cosell gets interviewed and simply answers questions.
He made a great point in the piece that Evan Mathis was a staunch Andy Reid supporter so that bodes well for us being able to re-sign him. Obvious point, but hadn’t occurred to me. I agree with his thoughts on Mike Vick completely. Really needs the offseason to hone his game.
Cosell focuses on LB as the area of improvement on D. He does make one interesting point. He talks about the importance of slot corner and how that is now essentially a starting role. He doesn’t outright say Joselio Hanson isn’t good enough, but he talks about how the Eagles could improve there.
I’ve talked to my friend Ryan on the phone about this. It would be great to get a slot DB who had starter type ability. Hanson is an overachiever and solid role player, but isn’t necessarily a guy you think of as a strength when he’s on the field. I wonder if the Eagles could go for a CB in the 2nd round who has slot ability. Brandon Boykin from Georgia is a guy who would seem to be a perfect fit. Played the slot this year, as well as outside. Very good KOR. Can blitz, hit, and tackle. Even a good player on offense when used over there.
The key here isn’t to get a top shelf CB, but rather a gifted DB who can play the slot. The player must be able to cover, hit, and tackle. He needs quickness and agility, as well as speed.
Something to consider.
* * * * *
For those who think the Eagles organization is weird, read this. KC sounds like a really odd place in the last few years.
* * * * *
So…Giants or Packers? I’ll probably pull for the Packers. I know it isn’t kind to cheer against your neighbors, but I think Green Bay has prettier helmets and that won me over.
Okay, I’m being a bit casual here. That really should read…Death to Eli and the Giants!!!
Go Pack Go.
What a great goalline stand by the Texans!!
Awesome D. I’m really enjoying watching this team.
I’m a UGA fan too and I love Boykin. He’s got a world of talent, he’s a 4 year starter, and he doesn’t have a single character concern, kid is just a player. He has all the tools to play the slot and he could finally solve our return problems. I’d love for us to use our second 2nd round pick on him.
Looking forward to seeing him at the Senior Bowl.
Do you think we have to use a 2nd round pick on him? I hope he falls to the 3rd round! Obviously the slot plays more than in the past, but last year we wouldn’t use a 2nd round pick on Brandon Harris because we saw him as a pure slot guy. When I say “we” I mean us in the blogging-world…
Can Curtis Marsh play in the slot or do we not want him in that role because we will tehn be forced to play him on special teams?
I was hoping the Eagles would take Brandon Harris in the second last year. I know that’s a little bit of a reach if you think the guy is mainly only a slot corner, but he’d be on the field a large portion of the defensive snaps. Plus, that was the whole mantra all summer – the team needed the secondary to compete with the Packers and Saints.
I was hoping the Eagles would take Brandon Harris in the second last year. I know that’s a little bit of a reach if you think the guy is mainly only a slot corner, but he’d be on the field a large portion of the defensive snaps. Plus, that was the whole mantra all summer – the team needed the secondary to compete with the Packers and Saints.
Alex Smith v. Aaron Rodgers . . . could be. And what a tired story line that’ll be by Wednesday!
Hadn’t thought of that angle. Better that than anything Eli.
T-LAW:
Rodgers and Favre seem to have big hands, compared to Alex Smith.
If GB wins and hosts SF in a classic GB-weather playoff contest, do you subscribe to the theory that Smith’s smaller hands will be a disadvantage in the very cold weather?
Smaller hands would make it easier for blood circulation and therefore should keep his hands warmer. Theoretically that should give him an advantage over guys with bigger hands.
Overall, I’d guess that the not being as good as Rodgers thing is a bigger disadvantage than the size of his hands…
HVngi bigg HAnnds has it:s sdisaddvantages,.
Well done, sir. Well done.
The future HoFer S just sealed the win.
T-LAW:
Is Ed Reed is the best safety in NFL history in terms of pure pass-coverage?
Great centerfielder. Different than being a cover guy. Dawk was great cover guy back in the 90s. Played in the slot quite a bit. Paul Krause was a good centerfielder for the Vikings back in the day. Ed Reed is the best centerfielder type S that I’ve ever seen. Great range, instincts, and hands.
Such a shame he got injured on the last play. I just love him playing. He’s one of my most favourite non-Eagles players in the NFL.
Tommy,
Can you compare Brandon Boykin with Casey Hayward out of Vanderbilt? Who is the better slot prospect? And what abilities make them a fit to the Eagles?
Also, do you think that teams will put a higher value on TEs and slot CBs because of the way the game is evolving? And does Celek and Harbour have enough quality if we decide to employ more two-TE sets?
What characteristics make a player stand out as specifically a “slot corner?”
You mentioned what you want: “The player must be able to cover, hit, and tackle. He needs quickness and agility, as well as speed.” But this is what I want in ALL of our DB’s. LOL.
I’ll talk about this in a post.
Thanks!
A TD right there would have made me feel better. Don’t want the Giants hanging in this game. GB blowout is needed.
Terrible tackle attempt by Peprah. Way to give them points, Packers. Barf.
Re: Giants’ long TD by Nicks
I like Maclin a lot. Great medium range receiver.
But I don’t think he makes the play Nicks did . . . not as physical.
It’d be great if the Eagles got bigger — w/out getting slower (Avant) — at WR: someone w/ Maclin’s speed by Avant’s size.
I liked the Maclin pick (over Nicks) because of his PR ability in college.
I’m not sure what happened, but he’s done nothing as a PR at this level.
Speaking of PE.com videos, did you watch the one with Dorenbos interviewing Landri? (Rolle even makes an appearance)
I know Dorenbos is only a LS, but he is a great guy with his interviews and in the locker room videos.
Did they really just try an onsides kick? Really truly?
Worked brilliantly. Giants had less field to work with and were confused.
He needed that to happen to set up his FG block play.
I suppose it is good the STs got them into that ish, and then dug them out of it too
Turnovers have dictated the outcomes of the playoff games that were viewed as fairly competitive in advance (i.e., not the Pats v. Broncos).
Green Bay looks like they’re heading to the same early vacation the Saints did.
But it’s still early. 17 points — if the Giants score — w/ Rodgers going no-huddle is certainly not insurmountable.
Prescient.
Green Bay turnovers look like the end of their season down 17 with under 7 minutes left.
It’s all about protecting the ball.
Also, is there an argument that Vick is better than Eli Manning?
I don’t think so . . . maybe next year.
Man, I HATE the Giants, but I find it very tough to root for a team that seems to have a total disregard for the defensive side of the ball. Yes, the Saints and Pats have poorly rated defenses, but they seem to at least be trying. I’m astonished by how terrible the Packers are. No pass rush, poor coverage, and pathetic tackling make me wistful for the Eagles early season defense.
Season-long problem for the Packers.
31 (or 39) turnovers by the defense have compensated for the 29 sacks and bad run defense.
The Packers played close games almost every week. Last year that defense was the difference maker.
Jeez, Clay Matthews was a HOFer . . . this year he’s Casey Matthews.
I really haven’t paid much attention to the Packers this year. As a fan of good defense, I’m glad I missed all of that sloppy defensive play.
The GB defense has been awful. So, so frustrating.
Giants hardly blitzing or zone blitzing . . . the scheme that killed Vick last year is on the shelf.
Maybe in the 4th Q the Giants go to the blitzes.
People complain about our drafts:
Mike Neal, 2nd rd pick, nada but let Jenkins go to play him
They take Sherrod instead of Brooks Reed, ignoring a gaping hole at OLB
Catch this, from Bleeding Green Nation:
I almost forgot about Tommy Lawlor staying with us for a few weeks while he set up his new website after IgglesBlog retired. It took us weeks to clean up the empty Pabst Blue Ribbon cans and pudding cups after he left.
It was a temporary fling. It was sweaty, gross, and cheap…like any good relationship should be.
I am afraid the Giants are super bowl bound.
Is home field advantage overrated? I know that home teams have won 7 out of 8 post season games so far, however watching a 9-7 Giants team dominating the 15-1 Packers at Lambeau is another prime example that it’s all about clicking at the right time…’
Nah, the 9ers will shut them down in the next round
Agreed . . . against the Patriots.
And I just can’t see Belichick and Brady letting the Giants and Eli Manning beat them again.
On the other hand . . . who knows.
Repost from a few nights ago:
Tommy any thoughts on Jerell Harris the LB from Bama? He flashed at me a few times during the game last night. Lists 6’2 and goes about 243. I really like how fluid he was at taking away the sprint option as he was plenty quick enough to get out to the back yet when Jefferson would look to cut it up he had very fluid hips to snap back and tackle him. Was an extremely highly recruited prospect out of HS. I think he could be a steal that just got overshadowed by his running mates. Plus Howie has noted his love for the SEC.
He does catch your attention. I’ll post some notes on him soon. Late round type who could turn out to be a steal. More effort than skill, but at the least could be good backup and STer. Good size. Runs okay. Tough.
Osi Umeniyora . . . 2nd round pick.
Passed over by the Eagles in favor of a 1st-round trade up for Jerome McDougle.
Ugh.
“Osi Umeniyora . . . 2nd round pick”
So he was passed up by all 32 teams. Can’t blame the team on this one.
Having Strahan in his prime definitely helped the development of Osi.
Some teams know how to draft DEs.
Some teams don’t.
Until they do. Small sample bias.
If McDougle, VA and Graham stayed healthy, no one would even remember Teo or Bryan Smith.
Not that McDougle would have been a great player, but if you were rotating McDougle, VA, Parker and Cole from 2004-2009 people would be talking about how great our DEs were, and Graham would have come along just in time to replace McDougle.
There’s skill involved in drafting, but also luck.
Tommy,
Do you think Trumaine Johnson can he play slot?
Don’t like guys that big on the inside.
“Brandon Boykin from Georgia is a guy who would seem to be a perfect fit. Played the slot this year, as well as outside. Very good KOR. Can blitz, hit, and tackle.”
Don’t know much about him besides what you wrote here, but I like him already. How nice would it be to upgrade our slot CB position, add depth, and FINALLY solve our kickoff return problems? Probably makes too much sense for it to happen.
And ‘Niners, please, for the love of all that is holy, beat the stupid Giants next weekend.
lol, Pretty soon we’re gonna be hearing the Chiefs PR department referring to players as “doubleplusgood” and Romeo Crennel is going to get canned for Crimethink.
You can get good slot CBs in the 2nd to 4th round (Verner, a slot before Lindley).
Ideal guy is about 5’10 with average speed but great quickness and agility and likes to tackle. You can also find these guys, Al Harris, Rod Hood.
I think you also need safeties that can match up at times one on one and not embarrass themselves, Allen can do so against big WRs, not sure Coleman or Jarrett can at all.
I think Clayton will become very valuable if he keeps improving, in today’s game, the nickel LB with quasi-safety skills is the guy you want to match against the receiving TEs (most safeties are too small, most LBs too slow).
I think you have to play tough man at times, even if you’re primary a zone defense, when a QB starts picking apart your zones, you have to be able to change up or you’re dead meat.
Given the explosive passing games (especially the short passing game), run defense at the LOS is less important than tackling in the underneath area, both taking away long runs but also stopping the short pass, especially on 3rd downs. Open field tackling seems like a lost art, with defenders wanting to play “pin ball.”
Tommy,
I’d like to ask for your opinion here.
On the offense, personally I believe we still need more production out of our RBs, especially in the passing game like in the old day when we spread the ball around to our RBs more with the guys like Westy and Duce, which helped lessen the burden of the QB. And it’s still works nowadays like how the Saints utilize Darren Sproles.
But looking at the number, Shady caught less passes than in 2010, despite being on the field for almost every single snap.
Back then the screen game was pretty decent, I remember Andy Reid being praised designing the screen-pass plays. Is it more about the play-calling or the skill set of the players we have? And do you think Shady and Deon can develop into that kind of role?
The perfect slot CB in this draft is Leonard Johnson out of Iowa St. Goes 5’10” 202 will probably run in the high 4.4s. He love to tackle and is fantastic in press coverage. Not a big time play-maker, but a solid cover corner. Reminds me a little of Carlos Rodgers when with the Skins since he’s not an int. forcing machine!
Johnson isn’t a 1st rounder and may not even be a 2nd rounder. Depends on what he does at the Sr. Bowl and combine. He’s a guy I’d look for.
I know a lot of you guys like Hanson, but I’m not a fan.
I definitely agree that the Eagles D could use an upgrade at slot CB.